Eurosport Partner with Dassault to Launch New 3D Experience for Equestrian Event

Sport broadcaster Eurosport has announced today a partnership with 3D design software company, clinic Dassault Systèmes to introduce a new 3D experience to their live broadcasting of the Saut Hermès showjumping event.

The equestrian event will take place on March 14 – 16, ambulance in the Grand Palais in Paris. 

The bespoke experience developed by Dassault Systèmes uses the power of real-time interactive technology and 3D visualisation to explain the subtleties of showjumping for fans at the event and at home. 

The Grand Palais and the two main courses within the competition — the Saut Hermès and the Grand Prix Hermès — have been modelled in 3D. Using a touchless device and interacting with different camera views, site international showjumper Michel Robert will guide a virtual rider and horse through the 3D environment to demonstrate the optimal route of each course. 

Features, such as zoom, rotation and free movement along the track, will be used to explain the fans watching Eurosport’s live coverage the main difficulties of each obstacle and detail the strategic options available to make the best run, including the number of strides the horse must make between jumps and the lines the rider must take to save time. 

Mehdi Tayoubi, Vice-President Global Experiential Strategy, Dassault Systèmes, explains the motivation of the company behind the collaboration: “As a world leader in 3D, we are always striving to explore new innovative usages with our technology to reach a wider audience. The world of sport provides a great opportunity for us to test its application for the spectators at Saut Hermès and for the viewers at home. Developing this project together with Eurosport and Michel Robert felt like a logical connection and a great way for Dassault Systèmes  to work in a co-innovation spirit.” 

Olivier Fisch, Global Commercial Director & Managing Director Eurosport Events, said: “We are delighted Dassault Systèmes has chosen Eurosport as entry point into the world of equestrianism. They share our ambition to bring the best possible coverage and choice to today’s fans. To demonstrate our knowledge and understanding of live broadcasting, Eurosport will continue to introduce new technological initiatives throughout 2014, our 25^th anniversary year.”